Jail over attack on deaf couple

A man who attacked a deaf and mute couple before robbing the woman of her handbag has been sentenced to two years.

Evan Smith, 18, followed Michael and Helen Rush from a chipper into a nearby laneway where he knocked the woman to the ground and took her handbag. He also attacked Mr Rush leaving him with a cut above his eye.

Smith of Lealand Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and assaulting Michael Rush causing him harm in Clondalkin on November 10, 2014. He has six previous convictions including robbery and burglary. Judge Melanie Greally said the couple were taken by surprise and both sustained minor injuries.